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Numbers Matter, But What Actually Matters?

Let me begin my saying - Numbers Matter! Big, big time. If someone gets 500 Likes on their profile picture on Facebook, we are tempted to see who the person is. The number game is important to young souls who seek validation on social media and also for people like me, who get money as per their social media standing. How do I get money? I write for brands and share it on my blog and social media accounts. It’s a form of advertisement. When I started blogging, oops writing (that sounds professional), my first job was for $50. I was elated, you know, as the cliche goes - writers don’t make money - and $50 was a hell lot. I was pumped up to work towards earning more. I was getting accolades and money was the cherry on the top.

Accolades you ask? Poems published in an International Anthology, won a few blogging contests, won Indiblogger’s Indian Blogger Award 2013, selected among top 6 creative writing bloggers by BlogAdda, interviewed by an Indian channel in New York and interviewed by prestigious websites like Women’sWeb. And, I was earning money too. This all happened in the first 2 years of blogging. This seems so fascinating. I was living a dream. Let me also share, in the world of blogging, writers are the least preferred lot by masses. People drool over food, fashion, travel and photography bloggers. Bloggers who write are geeks of the blogging world. We don’t get followers easily unless you write provocative stuff or post many ‘F’ ‘B’ or ‘M’ words in your social media updates. By all means, I was lucky, my average comment on each post easily crossed 125, not including my own. In short - I was doing pretty well for a creative writing blogger. And, you know what happens when you get all that? You start dissecting. Yes, dissecting! Out of the 125 comments, you only care for the genuine ones. The ones who have read and not commented for a comment back. When you win second prize in a contest, you read the quality of other winners and measure the judgment process. You do the same when you lose too. You work hard and write for a brand, but you are shattered to see one blogger writing a meaningless post and being paid the same. And, don’t get me started about anthologies - it’s the easiest way to sell books by publishing houses, club people with some talent and lot of reach, and publish a book. Before anyone is offended by ‘some talent’ part, this was said to me by a publisher himself. Anyway, the bottom line is - by this time, we know the murky side of numbers. Let’s say - It’s easy to maintain the quantity! Quality, on the other hand, is like Art House Cinema - appreciated by only a few.

However, the worst thing is at this stage growth stops! People are dissuaded and only slog to maintain numbers. They read, write and comment more on other blogs to get numbers. They add more people on social media to get likes. They post random stuff, controversial status and cute DPs to get followers.They are lost in the number game. It’s not their fault as everyone around them is growing in these terms. And, brands love people with numbers. So, many buy followers too. But, let me tell you - none of them are happy. Let me give you three examples -

You write for a brand, you want comments and traffic on that post. People are not interested in the topic and you get comments like - nice post, nicely written and other variations of it. The purpose of promoting the brand is defeated.

You want followers on Twitter and Instagram, you buy but you don’t get interaction as those accounts are fake or inactive.

You add thousand unknown strangers on Facebook, they will like your pictures but will not read your posts. And, trust me, Facebook algorithm has no mercy either. If 10 friends don’t like your post, it gets buried by the algorithm.

You see, none of it works in your favor. You chase numbers and even with numbers, you don’t achieve anything. This brings the real question - what should we do? Should we be indifferent, stop writing or simply be a part of this craziness? There is one thing I follow since I started blogging, do what you feel like. Write what you feel is right. Try to grow in your field. Don’t imitate people. Don’t shy away from asking for work. Always admit to your mistakes. Don’t fall for numbers as after a point the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs kicks in. Likes, comments, traffic or even work comes at its own fancy, you can not control it beyond a point, but good-consistent work will always bring you closer to self-actualisation. Yes, that top thing of Maslow’s chart! And, there will come a day when a random message on Facebook from a complete stranger will fill you with pride. That’s the magic of quality-consistency-passion.

Again, numbers matter. My list of accomplishment brings immense pleasure. But there are many other things that don't attract numbers, and I find more happiness in these accomplishments -

Comments

What an insightful post to capture the glorious 5 years of blogging you've just completed. What touched me most (like always) is your brutal honesty. Keep up the fantastic work Saru and may you reach greater heights in the days to come.

Hi Saru,I have been following your blog from a very long time and I must say your writing has inspired me and your honesty and a tangy sense of humor has always kept me hooked to your blog. Happy blogiversary tho bantha hain. May you continue to have more success. 😃

I started blogging just a few years ago and must say it has been a fascinating journey till now. Looking at where you are, it is a great achievement indeed. A wonderful post sharing your blogging journey. Looking forward to some amazing posts in the years to come. Keep up the great work :)

I dont even remember the day I first visited your blog, but since then, I have been a regular visitor, because there is so much of positivity and humor in your writing that sways the mood and fills one with optimism.

What makes you stand out is your pure honesty and integrity to words and feelings. You are purely a Dil se writer. Nothing should stop you and nothing will stop the herd of your readers and admirers. Write for another 1000 yrs to come. Congratulations for hitting 5. A high five for that to you. Mr. Alok should treat you for the occasion.

Ghost follower - I am jumping with joy. My only fantasy is to have my very own stalkers on blog and social media. :D

About blogging - it is all about being honest and learning from your journey. Everything else is just a by-product. Happy are those who accept it. They are bloggers in true sense. I hope, you and me can keep this spirit alive.

I think I get it by fair margin. For the reason as vacuous comments, I started keeping the comments closed. They don't mean much, as most of them are writing for a link back. The FB algorithm is now partial to paid ones, and organic reach is hard to come by. These days, any post that gets me 100 FB interactions (likes+shares) keeps me happy. Google is a shifty beast - can't predict how it changes itself every few months. Writers are geeks, yes. We take secret pride in that.

I am new to blogging and this post has been really insightful. I do not care about numbers, but getting a true feedback after reading my each and every word of my posts is what I want. Why? perhaps to improve my writing. Anyways, happy anniversary :)

Numbers cannot be ignored...even to reach the right (targeted) audience/readers numbers are important. As you pointed out, Saru numbers play a part in the social media algorithms. Totally. But at the end of the day genuine appreciation is what fills you in with pride. So true.

Your maturity in writing poems, stories or promotional content is superlative, Saru. You may not be aware but your work is floating on whatsapp too :) Wish you many more accolades. Well deserved, truly.

I agree that numbers are quite tricky and hence, no credibility to them. Glad you shared your experience with us so that we can learn and grow together. I always believe that I am my only competition but no one else, striving to better the self, up the game every single day:)

These days when everything is about hits, it becomes difficult for people to focus on creating content for the soul. The world wide web has become a labyrinth where many a creative person gets lost. Congratulations on getting noticed by brands and a worthy audience. Keep it up!

"Happy Anniversary" :P heheheheYou are an awesome blogger... I love your humor posts the best... and numbers don't matter when you have the content. Yes it's these personalized messages that make my day too. I have seen so many interesting blogs with just a couple of comments, but I keep going back to them.But you know what I personally don't like reading - product promotion posts. That's when I just give a random comment. It defeats the whole purpose of why I was following that blogger.

Many many congratulations for successfully completing 5 years. A triymph indeed. Not an easy task to consistently post for 5 years.I have been reading your posts for 5 years and have learnt a lot from your poems. You are also an inspiration to many bloggers. I was out of blogging for the past few months. Have to read your posts which I will do soon. Keep posting, keep writing, keep inspiring. Will be eagerly waiting for your poems(English & Hindi)... :-)

I got fascinated by your Hashtag stories which says a lot in few words and then, Alok told me that you guys are from Ambala. It made me more happy to connect with the ones around me. I hope to meet you guys sometime. Do let me know when you are here in India. Congrats for completing 5 years Journey so gracefully Saru.

Very true Saru. Nothing can be gained by running numbers. One has to give each post the right amount of love and commitment and the blog will grow by itself. People's appreciation should not be the metric for judging. Love your hashtag stories. Wish you the best !

That's quite an interesting post for your blogversary. Totally agree with your point that though we may get numbers by buying followers, the interaction wouldn't be there and the whole purpose of numbers will be defeated.

On another note, wish you many more such blogversaries in the future :D.

Wonderful Saru! Congrats on completing glorious 5 years of blogging. Sorry for delay in commenting. Was managing several things and was going through a bad phase health wise so couldn't it and read your blog. Congrats for completing 5 years and carry on. You've been an inspiration for me :)

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